Super Bowl 2012 Predictions: 4 Bold Predictions for Eli Manning

Eli Manning has earned the right to be called an elite quarterback, and he could go down as an all-time great with a win on Sunday. Manning is playing the best football of his career at precisely the right time, and I have some bold predictions for him for Super Sunday.

Manning is averaging 308 yards per game through three playoff games while also having an exceptional ratio of eight touchdown passes to just one interception.

Manning will look to duplicate or improve on these numbers on Super Bowl Sunday, and I expect him to once again exceed all of his critics' expectations.

Manning Will Throw 40-Plus Passes

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Eli Manning is averaging 41 passes per game throughout the playoffs thus far, and I certainly expect that trend to continue on Super Bowl Sunday. The Giants and their ground game have been too inconsistent this season and I believe offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride wants to put the ball in the hot hand of his quarterback.

Manning Will Play Turnover-Free Football

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As I mentioned in the intro slide, Eli Manning is as hot as they come at the quarterback position. His ability to read and project coverages has allowed him to play smart and turnover-free football, and the quarterback has thrown just one interception over the past three games.

The Patriots possess the weakness secondary Manning will have faced throughout this postseason, and I expect him to have his best game of the postseason because of it. Look for Manning to take some shots, but also look as he attempts to manage the game to keep the ball out of Tom Brady's hands.

Manning Wins His Second Super MVP Award

If Eli Manning generates the production that I have listed or even comes close to it, there is no question that he will win his second Super Bowl MVP award.

It is hard to image the Giants losing with that type of game from Manning, and the Giants' ability to pass should open up holes in the run game.

There is not team that is hotter than the New York Giants and no quarterback that is hotter than Eli Manning. These two components should give New York its fourth Super Bowl trophy in franchise history and bring Manning his second Super Bowl MVP.